Typhoon Haikui Prompts Taiwan To Evacuate Thousands, Cancel Flights

After passing across southern Taiwan, Haikui is forecast to enter the Taiwan Strait and head towards China

Typhoon Haikui Prompts Taiwan To Evacuate Thousands, Cancel Flights

Typhoon Haikui made landfall in southeast Taiwan on Sunday, bringing with it high gusts and torrential rain. As a result, domestic flights were canceled, and over 4,000 people were evacuated.

The first typhoon to directly strike Taiwan in four years, Haikui, made landfall in the hilly and thinly populated far southeast of Taiwan on Sunday afternoon. Cities and counties in the area canceled courses and gave employees the day off.

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen told a meeting of disaster management officials that people should avoid going out and not go up mountains, to the coast, fish, or engage in water sports, according to a statement from her office.

The fire department said two people were slightly injured when a tree fell on a truck in the eastern county of Hualien. There were a few other reports of damage. In the capital, Taipei, there were only sporadic rain showers.

Haikui is a much weaker storm than Typhoon Saola, which hit Hong Kong and the southern Chinese province of Guangdong on Saturday.

Taiwan's government said that 3,729 people had been evacuated, mainly in the south and east.

Taiwanese airlines canceled all domestic flights on Sunday, while ferry services to surrounding islands were also suspended.

There was less disruption to international flights, with only 41 canceled for Sunday, the Civil Aeronautics Administration said.

The military has mobilized soldiers and equipment to help with flood relief and evacuation efforts.

After passing across southern Taiwan, Haikui is forecast to enter the Taiwan Strait and head towards China.